Leo Burdock's
Restaurant · Christ Church
The famous fish and chip shop, takeaway only.
Best for: cheap fish and chips
Best time: dinner
Where to actually go in Dublin
Where to eat, drink and go out in Dublin: 20 picks for study-abroad students, with student-vetted picks marked and prices in dollars.
Eat & drink in Dublin
Queen of Tarts
Cafe · Cow's Lane
A cosy café for breakfast, cakes and tarts.
Best for: breakfast or afternoon cake
Best time: morning
Sights & days out in Dublin
Trinity College: Book of Kells and the Long Room
Museum · Trinity College
A medieval illuminated manuscript and a breathtaking 18th-century library hall.
Best for: the most famous sight in Dublin
Booking: Book a timed ticket online.
Best time: morning
Guinness Storehouse
Museum · St James's Gate
A seven-floor brewery experience ending with a pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.
Best for: the classic tourist pint
Booking: Book online for cheaper timed tickets.
Best time: afternoon
Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Activity · Smithfield
Tours and tastings at the original Jameson whiskey distillery.
Best for: whiskey tasting
Booking: Book ahead.
Best time: afternoon
Kilmainham Gaol
Museum · Kilmainham
A former prison central to the story of Irish independence; guided tours only.
Best for: Irish history
Booking: Tours sell out: book weeks ahead.
Best time: morning
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Museum · Docklands
An interactive museum about the Irish who left and what they did around the world.
Best for: a modern museum, Irish-American roots
Best time: afternoon
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Museum · Kildare Street
Free museum of Celtic gold and preserved bog bodies.
Best for: free history
Price: free
Best time: midday
National Gallery of Ireland
Museum · Merrion Square
A free art museum, including a Caravaggio.
Best for: free art
Price: free
Best time: afternoon
St Stephen's Green
Garden · city centre
A Victorian park at the top of Grafton Street.
Best for: a break in the centre
Price: free
Best time: any time
Phoenix Park
Garden · west of the centre
One of the largest city parks in Europe, with a herd of wild deer.
Best for: seeing the deer, a long walk
Price: free
Best time: afternoon
Howth cliff walk
Walk · Howth (DART train)
A fishing village and cliff path with sea views, 30 minutes by train.
Best for: escaping the city, seafood
Best time: full afternoon
The Forty Foot
Activity · Sandycove (DART train)
A rocky bathing spot where locals swim in the sea year-round.
Best for: a brave cold-water dip
Best time: morning
Cliffs of Moher
Activity · west coast (day tour)
Huge sea cliffs on the Atlantic coast, a long day trip by coach.
Best for: Ireland's most famous view
Booking: Book a day tour.
Best time: full day
Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains
Activity · about 1 hour south
A monastic site with a round tower between two lakes in the mountains.
Best for: a scenic hiking day
Best time: full day
Nights out in Dublin
Temple Bar
Area · Temple Bar
Cobbled streets of pubs with live music all day; the tourist centre of Dublin nightlife.
Best for: seeing it once
Best time: evening
Heads up: Very expensive pints; drink elsewhere after a look.
The Cobblestone
Live music · Smithfield
A no-frills pub with real traditional music sessions every night.
Best for: authentic trad music
Best time: evening
O'Donoghue's
Pub · Merrion Row
A famous old music pub where The Dubliners started out.
Best for: a classic pub with music
Best time: evening
The Brazen Head
Pub · Merchants Quay
Ireland's self-described oldest pub, with food and music sessions.
Best for: history with a pint
Best time: evening
The Stag's Head
Pub · Dame Lane
A Victorian pub of mahogany, stained glass and mirrors.
Best for: a beautiful old pub
Best time: evening